The Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival 2024 X KB Kookmin Card Star Shop (hereinafter ‘Pentaport’), one of Korea’s premier music festivals, will take place at Songdo Moonlight Festival Park, Incheon, South Korea, from August 2 to 4.
The lineup features renowned artists such as JACK WHITE, TURNSTILE, JANNABI, KIM GORDON, SEPULTURA, GIRL IN RED, SE SO NEON, RIDE, Silica Gel, and DAY6.
Celebrating its 19th anniversary, Pentaport will showcase performances from 58 top national and international artists and diverse events, including the Penta Super Rookie program to discover and nurture future rock talents, and the Pentaport Live Club Party, held in collaboration with local live music venues.
JANNABI Returns as a Headliner 10 Years After Debuting Through the “Penta Super Rookie” Program in 2014
The Penta Super Rookie program, initiated in 2013, has been instrumental in identifying and supporting emerging rock bands. Each year, the top six finalists earn a chance to perform on the Pentaport stage and share a total prize of KRW 18 million (approximately USD 12,980). The Grand Prize winner also receives an opportunity to perform at international festivals.
Notable past winners include JANNABI, THE FIX, SE SO NEON, The Vane, The Poles, and Dabda. These artists have since graced numerous festival stages and garnered significant acclaim. This year, a record 522 teams competed, with DAYANGSUNG winning the grand prize, ASADAL the gold, Moher the silver, and Lif, OurR, and Far East Asian Tigers receiving bronze prizes.
A highlight this year is JANNABI, who return as a headliner a decade after debuting through the Penta Super Rookie program in 2014, marking a significant milestone in their career.
Pentaport Showcase Debuts for Global Expansion
Hosted by the Incheon Metropolitan Government and co-organized by the Incheon Tourism Organization and Kyeonggi Ilbo (Daily Kyeonggi), Pentaport has been recognized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of Korea as part of the Global Festival Support Project and the 2024-2025 Culture Tourism Festival.
With substantial national funding, including KRW 660 million (USD 475,900) this year, Pentaport aims to invigorate Korea’s music industry. The festival organizing committee, in collaboration with the Ministry, will implement strategic initiatives to elevate Pentaport to a global level, focusing on detailed analyses of festival characteristics, transportation, and international appeal.
The Pentaport Showcase, held for the first time this year, will support Korean artists’ international aspirations and invite industry experts from Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, and Taiwan. Representatives from Warner Music Japan, Sony Music Entertainment Japan, and other prominent labels will also attend.
Additionally, Pentaport features an exchange program with AXEAN Festival and FireBall Fest. This year, renowned Malaysian band “Golden Mammoth” and Taiwan’s top band “Fire EX.” will perform at Pentaport. Throughout the festival, the Artist Lounge will host a networking program for artists and industry leaders, organized by “SXSWSYDNEY,” a cultural festival held in Sydney, Australia, starting October 14, 2024.
Incheon Pentaport Rock Festival: A Catalyst for the Korean Music Industry
Beyond the Penta Super Rookie and Pentaport Showcase, the festival offers the Pentaport Live Club Party, highlighting various artists and connected with Incheon’s vibrant live club scene. This event, occurring six times across six live clubs until August 20, showcases the unique vibe and live music culture of each venue.
Regular tickets for Pentaport are available on Interpark Ticket, Yes24, Ticketlink, Naver Booking, KB Pay Shopping, and enticket. For more information, please visit the official website (http://www.pentaport.co.kr) and follow Pentaport’s social media accounts.
